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Coachella Valley Preserve – Moon Country Trail

A Wildflower Walk in the Coachella Valley Preserve If you ask me to name a favorite wildflower trail, the Moon Country Trail in the Coachella Valley Preserve is always near the top of the list. It’s roughly 4 miles (6.4 km), give or take; however the route is signed that season, and mostly flat. The one real bit of climbing comes when you head up to the vista point, and…

California Lawmakers Pass Historic Bill to Permanently Protect Climate-Threatened Western Joshua Tree

California lawmakers have passed a historic bill (Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act) to permanently protect the western Joshua tree, making it the first law in the state aimed at safeguarding a species threatened by climate change. The legislation, part of the state budget agreement, is expected to be signed by Governor Gavin Newsom and take effect on July 1, 2023. Conservationists have welcomed the move, recognizing the tree’s significance as…

How do we address mental health?

I was reading what I wrote back in October last year about how I needed to step away from the noise and it dawned on me that I actually never truly did step away. In the 9 months since that post, I moved, changed jobs, and never really slowed down. With mental health as such a big topic right now, I am back in that same mental space with a…

In The Forest- A Poem

Cleaning up some areas of my desk and drawers, I came across this poem by Marlene Seven Bremner written last year for me on National Poetry Month at the Microsoft HQ in Redmond, WA. It still feels as relevant as last year.

Stepping away from the noise

We have been flooded with information, noise since February. And it’s gotten louder and louder throughout the year. Part of me can’t believe it’s October already, Where has the time gone? Drowned out in noise, anxiety, so-called “productivity”. I haven’t felt productive this year at all. Yes, I am one of the lucky ones whose job didn’t fall pray to Covid-19. But I don’t feel lucky. My anxiety levels have…

Healthy Snacks: Smoky Baked Almonds

As many of you, I find myself with more time on my hand on weekends during the Covid-19 pandemic. After spending the first few weeks getting settled into a new routine, I am now getting back to a more healthy routine, because no one wants to add the ‘quarantine 15’! My new weekly quest is to use ingredients that I have in my food pantry and see if I can…

The Palm Springs Tram Road Challenge Take 2

tram road challenge the easy part ends here

The race started early in the morning. The moon was still up. The sun was slowly climbing up its way on the horizon. It was a beautiful day. Then the next hour and 12 minutes was a slow uphill battle over 3.7 miles (6km), gaining 2,000 feet in elevation. Slowly moving past the sign that warned drivers to turn off their A There was faster movement – some even started…

The World Famous Crochet Museum

world famous crochet museum joshua tree

I know, right? Why didn’t we come up with this idea? I seriously need to work on my “world famous” art. What world famous thing could I create? The World Famous Crochet Museum was created in 2006 by the artist Shari Elf and is located in the town of Joshua Tree in California, just opposite the Joshua Tree National Park Visitor Center. I recommend to stop by on your way…